Inkwell



April 12, 1949. M. s. POLLOCK INKWELL Filed Nbv. 5, 1942 INVENTOR Ma rtin 5. Polloc k? HIS ATTORN? Patented Apr. 12, 1949 INKWELL Martin S. Pollock, New York, N. Y., assignor to Zephyr American Corporation, New York,

Application November 5, 1942, Serial No. 464,579

2 Claims. 120-64) My present invention relates to ink wells, and

more particularly to ink wells of the reservoir type.

My invention is particularly adapted to ink wells of the reservoir type in which the pen holding member is carried by a flexible or resilient member or diaphragm which acts as a pumping element to force ink from the reservoir into the pen holding member to supply the pen with ink.

In present day ink wells of the above type, the flexible or resilient member or diaphragm which carries the pen holding member, is flexed to perform its function by movement imparted thereto by the pen holding member. The pen holding member is given its movement by the pen.

There is a tight joint between the pen holding member and the diaphragm and also a tight joint between the diaphragm and reservoir and thus the reservoir is practically sealed airtight, and is therefore, an airtight chamber. Because of this construction, it is possible to increase or develop pressure within the chamber when the diaphragm is flexed, with the result that ink will be forced upward from the reservoir into the hollow pen holding member to supply ink to the pen carried thereby. Such a structure however, has the disadvantage of being susceptible to even moderate changes of temperature, with the result that upon an increase of temperature, the pressure within the reservoir increases, and many times to the point where ink actually will be forced up through the hollow pen holding member onto the desk or other place where the device is located. A decrease in temperature has the opposite effect, namely, when the temperature decreases, as during the night, a partial vacuum is created which draws air into the reservoir, so that in the morning, when the temperature increases, enough pressure is created to cause ink to flow from the reservoir, even though such temperature is normal.

In my present invention I have obviated the above objection to this type of ink well. As an example, I have provided a valve for the flexible or resilient member which is normally open to assure that when the ink well is not being manipulated to force ink up into the hollow pen holding member, ther will be no pressure within the reservoir. When however, the pen holding member is employed to flex the flexible or resilient member to supply ink to the pen holding member, such valve is automatically closed, with the result that the ink pumping operation is efiiciently performed.

An object of my invention therefore, is an improved ink well of the reservoir type.

Another object is an improved valve for the ink pumping element of the reservoir typeof ink well.

Still another object is an improved pen holding member for the reservoir type of inkwell.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of an ink well of the reservoir type showing the construction thereof, and with the improved valve for the ink pumping diaphragm inoperative position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the moving parts of the device of Figure 1 showing their position when the pen and pen holder have been depressed into their lower position.

Referring to the drawings, I0 designates a base having a circular depression ll formed in its upper face. Formed integral with the base In and ranged symmetrically about the circular depression ll, are upstanding projections l2,-the inner ends of which are shaped to conform to the curvature of the depression l I. In the base I0, and at the bottom of the depression II, is a circular depression l3. In the depression II is rotatably and tiltably mounted an ink reservoir M. This reservoir is substantially spherical in form, and has provided at its lower end a projection [5 which houses within the depression l3, and such de-, pression limits the tilting movement of the ink reservoir I4.

The end of the reservoir, opposite the projection I5, is provided with an opening l6 defined by a collar IT. The exterior of the collar l! is providedwith a thread l8 for attaching a hollow closure member I9 in position on the reservoir I4 by means of a threaded member l9a which is molded into the closure member [9. Fitting into the opening it is a diaphragm or bellows 20 of resilient or flexible material, such as thin metal or rubber or rubber like material. This bellows or diaphragm 20 comprises a body portion having formed integral therewith at one end a flange 2! which is gripped between the upper end of the collar and the hollow closure l9, as shown. Formed integral with the bellows or diaphragm and at the end remote from the flange 2|, is a member 22. This member 22 is provided with a centrally arranged perforation 23. This perforation 23 may be either round or of uneven shape, or serrated, and may be either a tight or loose fit on the hollow pen holding member to be hereinafter described. The member 22 also is provided with a perforation 24 of any desired size and shape and which acts as a valve to allow the admission of air to the reservoir at all 3 times except when ink is being pumped therefrom.

25 designates the pen holding member. The upper end of this pen holding member is hollow to receive and hold the pen 26. The diameter of this upper end is such as to be an easy sliding fit in the hollow closure I 9 andaccidental removal of the pen holding member 25 from the hollow closure I9 is prevented by the portion 21 of such element or closure [9.

The intermediate portion of the pen holding member 25 is reduced in diameter, as indicated at 28, and the lower end 29 is still further reduced in diameter. The junction ofthe, reduced portions 28 and 29 forms a shoulder 30a. against which may abut a washer or valve member 30.

The reduced portion 29 is shown generally tapered and is provided with a bore 3| which communicates with the hollow upper end of the pen holding member 25. The reduced portion 29 extends through the hole 23 in the member 22, as shown. The diameter of the reduced portion 29 may be such as to be a tight fit, or a loose fit, in the hole 23.

Where the diaphragm or bellows is made of flexible material, the washer or valve member 30 may be dispensed with, as the position of the hole 24 and the character of the material will ensure that the material will so fold about the reduced portion 29 and 28 of the pen holding member as to ensure the closing of the hole 24 when the pen holding member 95 is moved inward into the reservoir 14. However, the washer or valve maybe retained, as it ensures that the hole 24 will be closed upon an inward movement of the pen holding member 25. Such washer or valve 30 is of particular advantage where the diaphragm 20 is made of thin sheet metal.

Thus the washer 30 assures closure of the opening. 24 in the bellows 20, and may, in fact, be used with-a diaphragm or bellows of sheet metal as mentioned, where the washer is the only member serving to close the valve passage 24. When the penholder is depressed, the shoulder 30a, bears against the washer 30 and carries it downward into engagement with the diaphragm 20 during the initial steps of movement. Upon release of the plunger or pen holder member 25, this member moves upwardly and the washer 30 may return upwardly with the plunger in position against the shoulder 38a. However, since the washer is loosely mounted on the plunger, it may remain against the diaphragm 2S1. Should this be the case, and should air pressure develop within the reservoir, the washer will move away from the opening 24 and permit equalization of the interior pressure in the reservoir with the surrounding atmospheric pressure.

Various changes in the device as described will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and Lam not therefore, to be limited to the exact form shown, other than as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved ink well of the reservoir type comprising, a reservoir for ink or other like fluid, said reservoir provided with an opening in one side thereof, ah'ollow plunger reciprocably mounted in said opening and having its inner end in cooperative relation to the ink within the reservoir, a resilient bellows capable of being flexed under pressure, associated with said hollow plunger, a normally open valve passage in said bellows, a washer loosely mounted on said hollow plunger coljperating with said valve passage to close the same when the resilient bellows is subjected to pressure and means on said hollow plunger for forcing said washer into contact with said bellows to close said valve passage. V

2. An improved ink well of the reservoir type comprising a reservoir for ink or other like fluid, said reservoir being provided with an opening in one side thereof; a hollow plunger reciprocably mounted in said opening and having its inner end in cooperative relation to ink within the reservoir, a resilient bellows capable of being flexed under pressure associated with said hollow plunger, a normally open valve passage in said bellows, and means on said hollow plunger cooperating with said valve passage to close the same when the resilient bellows is subjected to pressure.

MARTIN S. POLLOCK.

REFERENCES CITED renewing referents are of record in the file of this pat ent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name'- 

